Lake Forest Hospital | Lake Forest, IL

Northwestern Medicine proudly opened its new Lake Forest Hospital in March of 2018. This state-of-the-art facility continues a long-standing commitment to deliver world-class medicine to the region, while using its natural surroundings to create a healing, tranquil environment for our patients, visitors and staff.The hospital features all private inpatient rooms, advanced technology and increased privacy for patients and visitors. It is part of a redeveloped campus that provides access to primary, specialty and emergency care, as well as a seamless pathway to specialty care from throughout the Northwestern Medicine network. This includes access to leading-edge clinical trials through Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, an integration that also fosters an environment of world-class patient care, academic inquiry and innovative research. Over 700 physicians practice at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, board-certified in 68 medical specialties included regionally recognized specialties of geriatrics, orthopaedics and urology departments. For a list of the Northwestern Medical Group physicians at Lake Forest Hospital, download this PDF.Lake Forest Hospital continues to be recognized for excellence. It is consistently included as one of the top hospitals in Illinois and Chicago by U.S. News & World Report and also has received Magnet© designation, the gold standard for nursing excellence and innovation.Campus MapDownload a campus map of the Lake Forest Hospital.Virtual Tour Hospital (main number): 847.234.5600TTY for the hearing impaired: 312.926.6363 (for all hospital inquiries) Adult Day Care: 847.535.6764 Anesthesiology: 847.234.5600 Audiology: 847.535.6114 Cardiac Catheterization Lab: 847.535.8129 Cardiac Rehabilitation: 847.535.6183 Cardiology: 847.534.3278 Center for Advanced Radiation Medicine: 847.582.2134 Child Development: 847.535.6800 Dearhaven Child Care & Learning Center: 847.535.6175Digestive Health: 847.535.6083 EEG Lab: 847.535.8024 Emergency Department: 847.535.6150 Endocrinology 847.535.7674Endometriosis and Fibroid Care Clinic: 847.535.8300Gift Shop: 847.535.6854 Health and Fitness Center: 847.535.7000 Home Health: 847.535.8788 Home Medical Equipment: 847.535.8799 Imaging (Radiology): 847.535.8000 Infusion Services: 847.535.8788 Integrated Pelvic Health Program: 312.694.7337 Laboratory Services: 847.535.6119 Lake Forest Managed Care Association: 847.535.6110 Maternal Fetal Medicine 847.535.7057Maternity Services: 847.535.6182 Medical Records: 847.535.6600 Neurodiagnostics (EMG): 847.535.6552 Neurology: 847.535.7658Neuro-oncology: 847.582.2134Neurosurgery: 847.535.7271Newborn Services: 847.535.6161 Nutrition Services: 847.535.6801 Obstetrics and Gynecology: 847.535.7057Occupational Health: 847.535.6172 Occupational Therapy: 847.535.6520 Operator: 847.234.5600 Orthopaedics: 847.535.8500Otolaryngology ENT: 847.535.6464Palliative Care: 847.582.2134Pastoral Care: 847.535.6070 Patient Billing and Customer Services: 847.535.6100 Patient Relations: 847.535.6337 Pediatric Unit: 847.535.8168 Philanthropy: 847.535.6111 Physical Therapy: 847.535.8000 Physician Referrals: 847.535.6171 Posy Krehbiel Breast Care Center: 847.535.6198 Prenatal/Perinatal Education: 847.535.6182 Primary Care: 847.535.7157Psychiatry: 847.535.6489Pulmonary Medicine: 847.535.7647Pulmonary Rehabilitation: 847.535.6570 Respiratory Care: 847.535.6823 Sleep Center: 847.535.7658 Social Work: 847.535.6445 Speech Therapy: 847.535.8000 Sports Medicine: 847.535.8500 Surgery (Lake Forest): 847.535.6154 Surgery (Grayslake): 847.535.7300 Urology: 847.535.7657Vascular: 847.535.7665Vein Center and Interventional Radiology: 847.535.6062Vision Care: 847.535.6440Volunteers: 847.535.6851 Wound Care: 847.535.7600Visits from family and friends can bring patients the warmth, comfort, encouragement and support they need to heal. Northwestern Medicine encourages you to spend time with your loved ones and friends during their hospital stay.Visits from family and friends can bring patients the warmth, comfort, encouragement and support they need to heal. Northwestern Medicine encourages you to spend time with your loved ones and friends during their hospital stay.Local services are available to accommodate your needs during your visit at Lake Forest Hospital.The hospital Main Entrance is located at 1000 North Westmoreland Road. Both valet and self-parking options are available in Parking Lots 1 and 2. Patients of the Cancer Center can use the hospital’s dedicated North Entrance and Parking Lot 1.The Emergency Department and Maternity Services are located inside the hospital’s South Entrance. A circle drive can be used for patient drop-off, while close self-parking is available in Lot 3.Patient parking for the Bays and McGaw medical office buildings is located just east of the McGaw Medical Building. Patients and visitors can also park in a new lot adjacent to the 700 building.As always, patients and visitors to the medical office buildings are encouraged to take advantage of our complimentary valet service, located at the main hospital and the main entrances of the Bays (900) and the McGaw (800) Medical Buildings.Valet Parking is complimentary and available during the following hours:

900 Building Entrance 7:30 am–5:00 pm

800 Building Entrance 7:30 am–5:00 pm

Hospital Main Entrance 5:30 am–5:00 pm

Visitors play an important role in helping patients recover. To maintain a healing environment and enable patients to rest, however, we ask that family and friends honor the following hours and guidelines for visits. Each patient will be informed of his/her visitation rights. Patients may withdraw or deny consent to calls and visitors at any time. Visitors are not restricted, limited or otherwise denied visitation privileges based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, Vietnam or other veteran status or any other status protected by relevant law. Campus MapDownload a campus map of the Lake Forest Hospital.General visiting hoursGeneral visiting hours: 5:30 am–9:00 pmAll visitors are asked to check in at the concierge desk in the lobby to obtain an identification wristband.Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult other than the patient.A maximum of two visitors per patient are allowed at one time.Please review the following exceptions to our general visitor guidelines:

Maternity services: Spouses or other designated special guests have open visiting hours. Visiting hours for grandparents, siblings of the newborn(s) and all other visitors are 8:00 am–8:30 pm daily. Other visitors must be 12 years of age or older and are encouraged to visit between 10 am–8 pm daily.

Pediatrics: Parents have open visiting hours. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Intensive Cardiac-Care Unit (ICCU): Family members have open visiting hours.

Visitor guidelinesTo ensure a healthy, healing environment for patients at Lake Forest Hospital, please observe these visitor guidelines:

Respect patient privacy: Visitors may be asked to wait outside the patient's room while the medical team provides care.

Check before you bring food or flowers: Some patients may have dietary restrictions, so talk to the unit nurse before bringing food. Also, keep in mind that flowers and plants are not permitted in some hospital areas, such as the intensive care unit. You may bring balloons as long as they do not contain latex.

Don’t smoke: Lake Forest Hospital is a smoke-free environment. All smoking materials are strictly prohibited on the hospital campus.

Keep your hands clean: Wash or sanitize your hands when entering and leaving the patient’s room. (You may use soap and sanitizer in patient rooms.) Clean your hands after sneezing, coughing, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth; after using the restroom; and before and after eating and drinking. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve. Do not sit on patient beds or handle equipment.

Be respectful of other patients: While in the hospital, we ask that you and your guests conduct yourselves appropriately, speak quietly and keep noise to a minimum.

Stay home if you are sick: Do not visit the hospital if you—or any guests or children who accompany you—are sick or have had any ill symptoms within the last three days, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, uncontrolled cough or rash.

Keep a close eye on children: All children under 12 years of age must be in the company and under the supervision of a responsible adult (other than the patient). Our medical staff may determine at any time that children may not visit depending on the patient. Visiting children must be free from illness and should not have had contact with ill persons.

Cellular and camera phone policy: To ensure patient safety, the hospital has instituted a cellular phone policy. Cell phones may be used in most areas of the hospital, such as lobbies, public waiting rooms, cafeteria and Au Bon Pain. Cell phones are prohibited, however, in ICU, Telemetry, Labor and Delivery and certain other patient care areas. Please look for any signs restricting use. To ensure and protect privacy, the camera feature on your phone may not be used anywhere in the hospital. If you have any questions, please ask a staff member, or call the operator by dialing “0” from any hospital phone.

You and your family will be surrounded by the support of distinguished physicians, highly trained nurses and other care providers who are committed to your baby’s and family's well-being.RegistrationNorthwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital recommends that you complete your delivery registration before your seventh month of pregnancy. To reserve your admission, complete your delivery registration online.Before babyProviding you and your baby with the best beginning is our utmost priority. Our board-certified obstetrician/gynecologists deliver the most current medical expertise with old-fashioned, personalized attention. They provide optimal care with respect, compassion and responsiveness to you. These physicians listen to any concerns you have and take time to answer your questions. Your obstetrician will partner with you to plan and achieve the birth experience you want.Lake Forest Hospital features state-of-the-art resources for testing and treatment throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Our sophisticated diagnostic capabilities and advanced monitoring identify unexpected issues as early as possible. Lake Forest Hospital was one of the first hospitals in Lake County with onsite maternal fetal medicine specialists (obstetricians with advanced training for higher-risk pregnancies). These physicians provide care for maternal complications, such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes.Neonatologists (physicians who specialize in the treatment of premature infants) from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago are onsite seven days a week. They are available to step in if we detect an issue during your baby’s prenatal development or for medically managing babies born prematurely in our Level II+ Special Care Nursery.Additionally, a pediatric hospitalist from Lurie Children’s Hospital is onsite 24/7 to assist the obstetricians with high-risk births. If your newborn requires surgery, intensive care, diagnostic imaging or other special services, the pediatric hospitalist will coordinate services and assist as needed.Your birth planChildbirth is an experience unique to each woman and family, and we understand that you may have certain requests regarding the birth of your child. Discussing and creating a birth plan with your physician in advance will help us ensure that your wishes are considered. Topics to discuss include the use of safe pain management medications, natural childbirth, the option to bank your child’s cord blood and the administration of routine vaccinations.Our nurses are passionate about their role. Their blend of competence and compassion can make a real difference in your childbirth experience and your first moments with your new baby. They’ll encourage you, hold your hand and help ease you through the childbirth process. All of our labor and delivery nurses have advanced certification in fetal heart monitoring—a vital asset during delivery—as well as advanced cardiac life support.Our nurses are helpful well before your delivery. While you’re pregnant, they offer instruction on prenatal care and childbirth expectations to prepare you for a healthy birthing experience. Afterward, your nurse can provide personalized guidance on infant care right in your room, such as tips for holding, bathing and soothing your baby. If you choose to breastfeed, they will also provide lactation support and education.To provide exceptional care during your stay, our nurses conduct hourly rounding. This means they will check on you regularly, but they won’t wake you unless it’s necessary to monitor your clinical condition. Your nurses will keep you informed about procedures and tests, and they will discuss your pain management and mobility needs to help ensure your comfort. And when it’s time for a shift change, the outgoing nurse and incoming nurse will conduct a bedside report in your room so that you know your needs are accurately communicated.After baby arrivesTaking your baby home is exciting—but sometimes a bit overwhelming. For the first six weeks of your baby’s life, you can reach a Lake Forest Hospital maternity nurse 24 hours a day, any day of the week for extra support. Call our Newborn Hotline at 847.535.6161 with any question, any time.Level II+ Special Care NurseryOur Level II+ Special Care Nursery is certified for extended capabilities to address the needs of infants who require more specialized attention in their first few days, including infants born prematurely and/or stable ventilated babies.Skin–to–skin cuddlingWe encourage you to “room in” with your baby. Keeping your baby nearby promotes bonding. Cuddling your baby, especially with skin-to-skin contact, nurtures the child’s emotional comfort, brain development, breathing and heart rate. Studies have shown that babies who are with their mothers cry less, soothe more quickly and get more rest. They also take in more breast milk, gain more weight per day and are less likely to develop jaundice.We recognize the importance of newborn bonding to parents as well as other family members. Beginning soon after the delivery of your baby, we advocate skin-to-skin contact with your newborn. All new parents and grandparents are encouraged to hold the newborn baby this way for a minimum of 30 minutes, three times a day.Hearing testHearing problems can interfere with a baby’s development. That’s why we test every baby’s hearing before discharge. Administered by an audiology specialist, our Universal Newborn Hearing Screening is a quick, painless and accurate method of assessing your baby’s hearing. We administer the test by placing a small probe in the ear canal and recording an “echo” from the inner ear. If there’s a problem, we can address it right away to minimize its impact on development.During your hospital stay, a caregiver will provide additional information about this important screening.Portrait photographyAt Lake Forest Hospital, we provide the opportunity for you to create a timeless treasure of your baby’s first days with a keepsake photograph, captured in your private room surroundings, taken by professional photographers.Fine dining at your bedsideCommemorate your baby’s birth with a delicious celebration dinner for two ordered through Bedside Bistro, our room service program. You will enjoy treasured time together with a restaurant-quality meal of your choice, including champagne, if you’d like.Clergy visitsThe arrival of a new baby is a blessed event, and often a stressful time, in the life of a family. The Pastoral Care department of Lake Forest Hospital provides blessings for babies and families, support for new moms and help for couples and families.Should you need it, we also provide grief counseling and support. For your convenience, Lake Forest Hospital has a chapel that you can visit, or we are happy to call on you in the privacy of your room.ResourcesDoing what’s best for you and your baby sometimes takes guidance from others who have experience. With a full array of classes and supportive programs, Lake Forest Hospital helps families prepare for childbirth and the changes that your baby will bring.We encourage you to take as many classes as you’d like. Choose from programs such as:

Understanding Birth

Comfort Measures

Understanding Breastfeeding

Understanding Your Newborn

CPR: Infant and Child

Tike Hike

You also can take advantage of support programs after your baby arrives.Support for breastfeedingThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk as the healthiest option for babies’ nutrition and overall health. Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital's nurses are trained to help you initiate breastfeeding with your newborn.Support GroupsNew mothers and their babies are invited to the New Moms Support Group to share and learn coping strategies. Topics include infant feedings, sleep patterns, changing family relationships and other areas of concern.The New Moms Support Group is for mothers of babies two weeks to one year. Register after the birth of your baby. This free class is for any mother of a new baby looking for support or wishing to network with other mothers. For more information or to join this group, please call 312.926.8400. From infancy through adolescenceGreat Beginnings at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital is just a start. Your child needs quality care from infancy through adolescence. Even before giving birth, it is important to select a pediatrician or family practitioner. When you deliver your baby, we notify your newborn’s physician, as your infant’s first pediatric exam occurs during your hospital stay.Lake Forest Hospital can help refer you to the physician who is right for your family. Additionally, through a unique partnership with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, we provide an even broader range of neonatology and pediatric specialty services for children of all ages.Pediatric hospitalists from Lurie Children’s Hospital are onsite 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at Lake Forest Hospital. These Lurie Children’s Hospital physicians are board-certified in pediatrics, with extended training in the management of neonatal and pediatric inpatients. They assist the child’s primary care physician by providing consultation, admission and care during the child’s entire hospitalization, and are available for Emergency Department consultations as well. Hospitalists can assess your child’s needs and determine whether more intensive, long-term care at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago is necessary.Also onsite are board-certified neonatologists from Lurie Children’s Hospital, providing care and support to our Special Care Nursery patients with extended capabilities. Through the collaboration of these physicians, the best in high-acuity care is provided for our newborns.Military families have the opportunity to use the services of pediatric hospitalists at Lake Forest Hospital during their stay.Learn more about the maternity services offered at Lake Forest Hospital.Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital is pleased to have the support and guidance of our Patient Family Advisory Council Members. The Council is comprised of Hospital staff, Members of the Community and current or past patients or family members.The Patient Family Advisory Council enriches the partnership between patients, families, and hospital/nursing leadership. This council serves to promote and enhance patient-family centered care through sharing personal perspectives, participating in improvement efforts to advance the patient's first experience, requesting presentations of particular interest, and providing recommendations for the promotion of health, wellness, and patient safety in the campus revitalization project.The Council meets the 3rd Thursday of each month September – June from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm over dinner at the Health & Fitness Center on the hospital campus. The meeting format includes guest presentation and discussion primary focused on improving the patient experience, and achieving patient safety and quality outcomes. Topics may include but not limited to Magnet redesignation, Electronic Medical Record (EMR), patient portal and campus revitalization.The terms of membership are:

Share personal perspective while appreciating the perspective of others.

Ask questions and request presentation of particular interest.

Partner with hospital staff to effect meaningful change.

Represent both personal experiences and the experiences of all families.

Promote trust and support while maintaining confidentiality

Attend at least 7 of the 10 meetings.

If you are interested in potentially becoming part of this Council, or want to learn more about the Council please contact the Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Denise Majeski, MSN, RN, ACM-NE-BC at dmajeski@nm.org. Meet our Patient Family Advisory Council Members.
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Since opening in 1899, Lake Forest Hospital has grown into a 114-bed not-for-profit community hospital offering a continuum of healthcare services that is unmatched in the region.